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What the stats say: All Blacks look to extend impressive home run against Six Nations sides

22 Jun, 2018 10:16am

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NZ Herald rugby journalists Gregor Paul & Patrick McKendry comment on the All Blacks team selection, in preparation for the 3rd Test match between the All Blacks and France, at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin on Saturday. / Brett Phibbs

The All Blacks wrapped up this controversial three test series against France with a win at Westpac Stadium last weekend.

Much of the post-match debate focused on the red card for Benjamin Fall after his collision with Beauden Barrett but another ruthless display by Steven Hansen's charges just further extends the Six Nations' sides woes in New Zealand.

The last time one of Europe's top six sides picked up a win against the All Blacks on their own turf was back in 2009. Who was that victorious side? France. Where was the game? Dunedin. Who scored the winning try? Maxime Medard… Sound familiar?

Medard will pick up his 50th cap in this match and although he hasn't scored against the All Blacks in nine subsequent appearances since his match-winner in 2009, it is unlikely he will have forgotten the long-range interception score.

In fact, France, England and the British & Irish Lions are the only European sides to beat the All Blacks in their back yard so Les Bleus' tally of four wins is actually quite impressive, even though some of those victories are distant memories now.

However, if they are to have a chance of beating the All Blacks they will need to keep all 15 men on the pitch, even though Benjamin Fall's red card may have been controversial. Despite the sending off Les Bleus will have plenty of reason to be positive about the third test as they gave New Zealand a tough game despite being a man down from the 11th minute.

France's late try meant that they lost by just 13 points, the second best tally by any side permanently reduced to 14 men against the All Blacks, after South Africa's one point defeat in October 2017. Can Les Bleus go a step further in the final Test of this series though, and finally bring to an end almost 10 years of hurt for Six Nations sides in New Zealand?